The Wrath of Mother Nature
It was not unusual to experience damage at Pinetree Line radar stations due to high winds. What is unusual is the apparent lack of a compiled document that provides details indicating "what happened, where, and when". This file contains a summary of "significant" Pinetree Line radar station "wind damage" that is known, and documented, to have occurred in Puntzi Mountain, BC.
The following detail has been taken from the Narrative Reports for Puntzi Mountain AFS.
1 October 1958 to 31 December 1958
High winds during December destroyed a portion of the BOQ roof. Inspection revealed that the original installation was faulty. Temporary repairs have been completed and a new roof has been requested in the FY 60 program.
1 April 1959 to 30 June 1959
Damaging winds necessitated repairing the roofs of the Administration building, the BOQ, and two BAQ's.
1 July 1961 to 30 September 1961
An emergency DLM team was requested on 21 September to splice and repair the lead telephone cable to the squadron area. High winds broke off a pole and stretched the lead cable causing the cable sheathing to split and allow moisture to penetrate the entire cable. Approximately 75% of the lines to the lower area were out.
There is no doubt in my mind that there have been other examples of "significant" Pinetree Line "wind damage" which has taken place. As an example, I keep hearing about the Saglek situation – where their height finder was an apparent victim. This unit was located at the edge of a 1,800 foot cliff – so you can imagine the damage to any radar equipment that "went over the side". I continue to hope that some day, some one will provide some "official detail" – and then we will be able to add this occurrence to our list.
If you have any knowledge of other "significant" Pinetree Line "wind damage", please help us out and pass the detail to us – via an email message. Many thanks.